Fun fact: only 41 acts in the history of recorded music can boast the honor of having earned 20 or more Platinum-certified records from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) over their careers.

For context, “Platinum” refers to sales equivalence of 1 million units in the United States.

An exclusive list undoubtedly boosted by the inclusion of streaming in the certification criteria, it’s still one that’s eluded Black female performers on mass as they represent less than 10% of the hitmakers in the exclusive club.

Recently, R&B diva SZA – thanks to the ongoing success of hits found aboard her long-awaited sophomore album ‘SOS‘ – helped the score increase for women of color.

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In the Billboard Hot 100’s 65-year history, only 8 female-led songs can boast a tenancy of over 60 weeks.

Before the chart’s updated print, Mariah Carey – with her perennial holiday hit ‘All I Want for Christmas is You’ – reigned as the only woman of color in the exclusive group as the yuletide tune sits in second place on the all-time list among females.

The Songbird Supreme made room for company in her nest this week, however, when SZA‘s history-making smash ‘Snooze‘ woke her up to news it had crossed the elusive threshold.

Details inside.

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SZA is glowing multiple shades of Platinum thanks to the RIAA.

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Thanks to her blockbuster 2022 album, ‘SOS,’ R&B singer-songwriter SZA entered the 2024 GRAMMYs as the night’s most-nominated act (9).

Rightfully so, as the project had not only birthed multiple Billboard Hot 100 dominating hits (‘Kill Bill,’ ‘Snooze,’ and more) but was easily one of the most critically acclaimed albums of its genre in years.

For its critical and commercial successes, many of her dedicated fans figured the project would be a shoo-in for the award show’s most prestigious honor.

Much to their surprise and chagrin, the LP and its content did not capture one of the Big 3 categories it was nominated in.

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Billie Eilish may already sit in GRAMMY history logs for being the only woman to receive the Big 4 (Best New Artist and Album, Song, and Record of the Year) in one ceremony, but now she’s seeing her name penciled in record books for a new reason.

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SZA is set to showcase her life gravitas on the GRAMMY Awards 2024 stage.

For, the eclectic chanteuse has been tapped to perform at Music’s Biggest Night.

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The Hot 100 has done all but sleep on ‘Snooze,’ the history-making sixth single from SZA‘s chart-busting sophomore album ‘SOS.’

As if marking a personal milestone for being her longest-charting song to date (racking up a whopping 56-week and counting) wasn’t enough, the Babyface-produced bop was penciled in record books when it went on to be the only song to be printed on the hitlist every week last year.

Having already tied or broken Billboard records by music monarchs Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige, Aretha Franklin, Rihanna, and others, SZA woke up in 2024 to news ‘Snooze’ had helped her break a three-way tie with Pop royals Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson thanks to its rebound into the Hot 100’s top 10.

Details inside.

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Thanks to her ‘SOS‘ hit ‘Snooze‘ R&B singer SZA has woken up to yet another historic feat on the Billboard charts.

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With the Christmas onslaught in the rear view, the updated Hot 100 looks a lot more current with appearances from the usual heavy hitters like Taylor Swift, Drake, SZA, and others.

The week’s top Billboard story, however, just may be the ascension of Doja Cat‘s ‘Agora Hills‘ – the second official single from her 2023-released fourth studio album ‘Scarlet‘ – to the all-genre chart’s top 10.

More on that historic rise inside.

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From their ‘Greatest Singers Ever‘ and ‘Top 200 Songs of the 80s‘ to the ‘Top 15 Rap Songs of 2023‘ and beyond, Rolling Stone is no stranger to getting collective side-eyes from music lovers for their polarizing rankings on “best-ever” tallies.

And, if the response to one of their latest lists is any indication, that criticism won’t be stopping any time soon.

Turning heads this week with the unveiling of the ‘100 Best R&B Songs of the 21st Century,’ the lineup featured some expected entries in unexpected positions alongside some snubs and downright shocking placements (e.g. Usher‘s ‘Confessions‘ at #1 and Beyonce‘s ‘Dangerously in Love’ at #3).

Among those surprising appearances was GRAMMY-winning diva SZA whose ‘SOS‘ 2022 hit ‘Snooze‘ awakened debate with its top 20 placement.

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To say 2023 was SZA‘s year is an understatement in itself.

From matching or surpassing the chart stats of legends like Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson,  Mariah Carey, and Mary J. Blige to enjoying a slew of personal milestones (e.g. ‘Kill Bill’ becoming her first #1 placement on the all-genre chart), the GRAMMY winner (born Solana Rowe) rocked the Billboard 200 and Hot 100 all year long.

And, if persual of the updated edition of the latter tally is any indication, she’s not done.

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Thanks to her blockbuster 2022 album ‘SOS,‘ the long-awaited follow-up to 2017’s ‘CTRL,’ R&B diva SZA (born Solana Rowe) is the name on the lips of many-an-industry critic as they roll out their 2023 year-end lists.

Having already made headlines for being crowned Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop artist of the year as well as runner-up for female artist of the year (second to Taylor Swift), Rowe’s record-breaking last 12 months have also led her to the throne of other top publications like ‘New York Times,’ ‘LA Times,’ and ‘Rolling Stone.’

Details inside.

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